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Sunday, February 22, 2015

The Final Step - Normally dance is inspired by music. For the final challenge of SpinTunes 10, you will need to write a song inspired by dance...and not just any dance...this one. We should be able to play your song over this video...and have people think it's what he was dancing to. (2:32 minimum length...the length of the dance routine) (your submission is due Sunday, March 1st 11:59PM)Side Notes: The original audio was removed for a reason. The dancers name wasn't mentioned for a reason. Please do not attempt to look up more information on the video. We'll use the honor system here. I will be posting the original video & crediting the artists involved after your deadline.And as usual...lyrics are still REQUIRED.Submitting Entries:- Entries must be received by the given deadline. Otherwise it'll be posted as a shadow. Received means that it has to appear in my e-mail inbox by the given deadline. I will be going by the time stamp on the e-mail in my inbox. PLEASE do not wait until the last hour to send me something. If there is a blackout in your area, your computer crashes, or your dog actually eats your thumb drive...I will not care. You are allowed to send in a draft of your song early just in case something horrible happens & you miss the deadline. Then you can add polish to your song & send in a better version closer to the deadline. 1 minute late is still late, people.

- Title of the e-mail should be the title of the Challenge & your band's name.

- Include the song lyrics in the body of the e-mail. (If your song doesn't have lyrics...consider yourself eliminated. Instrumentals can be pretty, but SpinTunes does require lyrics.)

- Include information on anyone that needs credited if you collabed with someone.

- If you have a BandCamp account, you can just send me a link to your song on BandCamp if you include all the info I mentioned above. Make sure you have it set as a free download, and have it set so that I don't have to put in an e-mail to download it if you pick this option. THIS IS THE BEST FILE SHARING OPTION!

- Other file sharing options if you need them: Sound Cloud (set to download a format BandCamp is ok with) & Drop Box. Please send an e-mail as I already stated, but with the download link if you need one of these services. Please follow directions so your file doesn't wind up in my spam or trash folder accidentally.

Side Notes:

- Remember that you are allowed to send in a little background about your song. Some people don't like to do that, and you don't have to, but if you want to write a couple sentences about your song I'll post it on the BandCamp page for people to see. Some judges will look at the lyrics & this extra info, but they aren't required to.

- If you didn't sign-up in time to compete in SpinTunes #10, you can still complete the challenge & send in a song. It'll be uploaded with the other entries as a "Shadow Song". Check the FAQ if you don't know what that means. You can even complete past challenges from previous contests.

- The only other way to get your music played at the LP is to cover "Today's The Day" by Inverse T. Clown.

The results to the round are below, but since this is round 3...I'm sure you're even more interested to see the leaderboard & find out who is moving on to round 4! Btw...Edric's perfect score might be the first we've ever had.

You can listen to all the wonderful songs from this round by checking out the free album HERE.

Very impressive length to your verses. It definitely fit the challenge by being a run on sentence without seeming forced. Instrumentally It fits the lyrical style. I always appreciate the production value and complexity of the songs you put out. The style of your vocals reminds me a lot of Subterranean Homesick Blues by Bob Dylan. Excellent work making this an entertaining song to listen to.

Governing Dynamics:

This is a grammatically challenging theme to judge. I see how the lyrics were written, but there were definitely isolated sentences that were passed off as run-ons without actually being so. I sound like a fucking cheeseball even making this type of judgement. Instrumentally: It was a tight production. Very soothing sounding. I feel a faster paced song would help drill in that run-on theme.

Jurek Mika:

You know how to make a run on sentence with your monotonous sounding vocals and themes of shit eating, cock sucking and whore killing. This was like babbling of a schizophrenic sex addict. The constant driving instrumentals pushed the runoff theme further home. Good Jurb Jurek. I liked this one.

Edric Haleen:

I hope that you did that all in one breath. The lyrics are very smart and creatively placed, all while maintaining the run-on sentence theme. Your background in writing for theater was very apparent. This could easily be an episode of School House Rocks. Instrumentally, the staccato piano complimented the quick vocal rhythm perfectly. This has me judging my own grammar. Excellent job!

Jailhouse Payback:

It was interesting how you managed to sing the lyrics in a way that they didn’t sound like a run-on sentence, but reading along I could see that they were in fact fitting of the challenge. I was really looking forward to that second sentence to explain why you felt like an eternal being who knows all the answers. I guess we will never know the truth… all in all, Well executed.

Jutze:

I wouldn’t say any of these are really run-on sentences, at least in a non songwriting, and more grammatical sense. This song was really catchy though with an entertaining theme. It must be heartbreaking knowing that despite all the grandiose accomplishments of the German people, the simple english pronunciation of a pathetic rodent can be so tongue tying. I can’t pronounce liebe/leben. I enjoyed this song.

Dr. Lindyke:

The way your vocal rhythm rolled, it sounded very much like run-on sentences, though, It seemed forced at times. I enjoyed your acoustic instrumental and harmonica performance.

Zoe Gray:

I am a big fan of your voice and guitar playing. It is very stripped down and raw, which is a style I can always appreciate. It allows the focus to rely on the lyrics rather than distract with an overbearing production. You met the run-on sentence theme tastefully. At times It seemed like the sentence could have ended, but you kept it going without it seeming forced. Beautiful song.

Atom & EV:

I liked the song as a whole as I am HUGE believer in every single one of these conspiracies. Even up to Paul McCartney being a fraud of the original. Though this was more of a list verses a run-on sentence, it did well by continuously moving from one line to the next. Perhaps a bit monotonous, but very much in the style of Subterranean Homesick Blues as you had referenced in the beginning. I would not be surprised if this revealing song ended with you being pulled into a black SUV and never heard from again.

Adam Sakellarides:

Your use of “talk” singing was an excellent choice to fulfill the run-on theme. These sentences seemed very natural to the way a lot of people actually talk, with its speedy delivery and rambling characteristics. The chorus was a catchy break, which I quite enjoyed. This reminded me a lot of a Weird Al song from my childhood. Great work my friend!

Ross Durand:

Your use of delivering the lyrics through a flow of sporadic ramblings very much fit the challenge in a way that made it seem like this was off the top of the head. I was glad to see that you tied this style of vocal delivery and lyrics into a traditional “my lover has gone away” type of song. “Nothing makes sense at all since you’ve been gone” was well placed. Instrumentally, this was very catchy, cheery, and cohesive with your lyrics.

The Boffo Yux Dudes:

Though I liked your lethargic singing style and backing instrumentals (very gospel sounding), It seemed like you used a grammatical poetic license as a way to mask the lyrics as run-on sentences, despite them feeling more like individual ideas/statements ending in a comma instead of a period. Which they would be normally. It was nice to listen to, but it didn’t necessarily feel that it met the theme of the challenge.

James Young:

I like your lyrics as a stand alone entity. This challenge is a hard one to judge because of how closely lyrical stylings can resemble run-on sentences without actually being one. I think your vocal style of keeping a constant pace helped to drive the idea of a run-on.

Kolton H:

That was a very insightful and self analyzing run-on sentence. And very lengthy as well. I enjoyed the cognitive introspection while pertaining to the theme. The song itself was kinda redundant and boring, I mean, I like your music, but I wasn’t as into this one instrumentally. You did a great job meeting the theme.

Megalodon:

You executed a very unique vocal method. Kinda free flowing and never repeating, which resembles a rambling run-on sentence. It was a bit hard to follow at times.

Charlie McCarron:

This was my favorite song from this challenge. After analyzing all these songs to see how well they fit the run-on sentence theme, I feared that by the time I got back to this one (which I had listened to prior to judging) it wouldn’t fit the challenge. I am glad to see that relistening, there are definitely run-on sentences, just so well placed that it seems natural. This as a song was very entertaining. Narwhales do exist, but they shouldn’t.

Dreiviertel Drei:

Did you just invent the term homosocksual? Thats badass! You write some entertaining songs for sure. Great use of run-on sentences. I’m a closeted homosocksual so this song is very empowering.

1.Edric Haleen, Land Of No Punctuation - I love this so much. Being comedic fake childrens band this just excites every part of me. Utterly nailed it, theme, style, musicality. For me this was a home run.

2. Adam Sakellarides, Too Verbose - very fun, reminded me of old school bare naked ladies and they might be giants. Clever lyrics and a lot of fun. Ps I love audio books as well

3.Charlie McCarron, The Animal Song - yeah fuck animals. This was a fun song for me. Good commitment to theme challenge and an overall fun and clever song

4. Kolton H., Muse Of The Machine - Youre a good lyricist, but no one would know that based on how heavy the robot voice effect is. Don’t get rid of it it makes the song what it is, but I would love to hear it less affected to we can enjoy the words. Loved the break down around the 2 minute mark.

5. Zoe Gray, When The Rain Falls - very enjoyable musically, ill be honest I was having a little trouble following the story of the song this week. This could be a result of trying to stick to the long sentence challenge

6. Jutze, Squirrel - it's nice to hear a non depressing german nationality song. Would have loved to have had an accordion or tuba solo to break up the song and give listeners a small break from non stop lyrics but other than that nice job.

7. Pete Murphy, Liars - love The high energy. Ya hit me in a very nostalgic place with that. Over all a fun song that makes me feel like It would be part of a power rangers montage which coming from me is a good thing.

8. Governing Dynamics, Recursion - also very nostalgic, reminded sort of the same vein as Bush’s Glycerine. The one criticism I wish that at one point the song would open up a little more. Much of the last 3rd of the song felt like a build up which never crescendoed

9. Jailhouse Payback, Reflections - in my eggs- nice song, good choice breaking it up with a guitar solo. Also enjoyed the “in my second sentence” call out to the song contest theme.

10. Ross Durand, Catch Me - Very 90’s. fun and nostalgic, I was worried at the beginning you would fall into the trap with the run on sentences of keeping the song very uneventful, but there were a lot of pleasant surprises in this song and a great transition from verse to chorus.

11. James Young, Last Words - vocal effects too heavy, I like what you are going for but it becomes distracting. You have to listen too closely to make out the words. Enjoyed the end a lot. Needed that pay off with the repetitiveness of the rest of the song

12. The Boffo Yux Dudes, Love You - very ethereal, I feel like im sitting in a pine forest with my retro fairy queen. Watch the tune on the harmonies, the wavery voice thing is fun but becomes too much if you go flat.

13. Megalodon, You Need To Know - Primus much. I am impressed by the musicianship and application of music theory and technique in this song. That being said its something that the average listener might have a problem with listening too regularly. NYU and Berkley kids will love it.

14. Ben Taggert, How Was Your Day - well you certainly got the run on sentence thing. Thank you for increasing the speed at the end. Reminded me of old Arlo Guthrie, alices restaurant style

15. Dr. Linkdyke , No Time For Dreams - would have loved a break from the 4 chord structure. It’s a lot to take for 4 and a half minutes. That being said really enjoyed the story telling structure of the song.

16. Jurek Mika, Yagi [Parte Uno] - This song feels like the most fucked up heroin meth trip ever, complete with drowning and hooker blood and male one male facials. You nailed the long run on sentence thing, but that didn’t mean the song had to be the exact same from start to finish.

17. Dreiviertel Drei, Socksual - nice little mandolin back there. Who doesn’t love nice warm socks. Performace wise you were flat for most of the song, I feel like this is a stylistic choice but I don’t feel like it lends itself to the song.

18. Ominous Ride, After Happily Ever After - this song went on and on. Really needs some musical change. I lost interest half way in. tried to get back into it but it never changed.

19. Atom And EV, Conspircay Theory - crazy repetitive and monotonous. I know this is what you are going for with the robot voice and what not but just not my cup of tea. The song went no where and then even faded out at the end, not even giving me the satisfaction of it being over.

I tried to turn down my grammar nazi-ness for this. I think I succeeded. Also, sad to see some of the people in the first two rounds are no longer here. See sad faces here ----> :( :( :( :(#1 Edric Haleen

Breathe, man. This was great. Definitely a top song and there's not much that can be said about it that can't be heard simply from listening to it. Pretty intense stuff. Also, that inclusion of “period” at the end was definitely chuckle worthy. #2 Pete Murphy

Super catchy rhythm. Not that I knew the words after I listened to the song but I was definitely repeating the rhythm with random words I was making up. Overall, this song is amazing. Keep at it!

#3 Jutze

This track concept is great. I've seen videos of Europeans attempting to pronounce “squirrel” and it's hilarious. That being said, this track plays on the fact really well and manages to complete the challenge in a great way. Awesome song!

#4 Adam Sakellarides

Good track. Definitely more on the “spoken word” side and that's not a bad thing. You told an interesting story that included relevance to the nature of the challenge and managed to complete the challenge very well. Also, the chorus is a bit catchy. Good stuff.

#5 Ross Durand

First thing I really noticed about this track was that you ended a rhyme with “purple”. That aside, besides Edric, I think this song had one of the longest actual run-on sentences. Another great track that includes the nature of the challenge into your song topic. Great track.

#6 Dreiviertel Drei

The first thing I noticed about this song was the use of a dash. You guys were the only ones to use that in order to extend your sentences and I thought that was pretty clever. The topic is pretty hilarious and executed very well.

#7 Dr. Lindyke

Hearing this threw me off after hearing Jutze's track right before it. Maybe it was the difference in tempo. Not sure. Anyway, that has nothing to do with your particular review. I just really don't have much to say. Nothing stick outs but nothing is bad about it either. Completes the challenge but in reference to the other tracks, it just feels very mediocre. Having a hard time saying that considering there's really nothing wrong with this track.

#8 Governing DynamicsOne thing that bothered me about this track was that the switching of voices broke the consistency of any sentences. So I tried reading the lyrics while listening and I noticed that instead of a run-on sentence with normal punctuation (or lack thereof), it was more of a run-on sentence with a bunch of semicolons. Not sure if that was intentional or not but that's the way I see it. Anyway, it was an overall good. I think I might have ranked higher if the consistency between sentences were there.

#9 Zoe Gray

I noticed the inclusion of a lot of conjunctions in an attempt to make the sentences longer but the delivery doesn't make it seem like run-on sentences. For example, “and when the rain fell down” seems like a small attempt to extend the sentence but I think it falls short. Also, the actual run-on sentences were pretty short. The song itself wasn't bad at all though. I just don't think it fulfills the challenges as well as other songs.#10 Kolton H.

Maaaan....I wish there was a second verse. The majority of the song appeared to be instrumental. That seems really counter-productive to completing the challenge. With less instrumental and more words, I would've ranked higher. The song was not bad as is; it's just not as fulfilling as it could have been.

#11 Megalodon

There's only one thing about the run-on sentence structure that bothered me but nothing that's challenge-breaking. “Because of everything on this list/is something you should know” is a really weird transition of a sentence (even if meant to be run-on). Overall, great song.

#12 Boffo Yux Dudes

I see what you did here. I was looking at the lyrics as I started listening to this and I think the format in which they were written confused me. After a second look, I noticed that the entire song was indeed a run-on sentence. However, I feel like the song kinda just dragged along and I found myself more interested in figuring out the continuity of the words than listening to the track.

#13 James Young

This was DIFFICULT to rank. Mostly because I wasn't sure about if it was truly run-on. To me, there's two sentences in the first verse as well as two in the second. With just a few simple changes, I would've ranked this higher. For example, instead of “just sees a madman”, saying “and sees a madman” would've make that a lot more definitive.

#14 Jailhouse Payback

Another track where the “run-on” is interrupted by a small break. It makes it hard for me to rank as high as those who had one notably consistent run-on sentence. That's not to say your sentences WEREN'T run-on sentences. It's just that the break kinda ruins the flows.

#15 Jurek Mika

Well....this is definitely a run-on sentence. The lack of rhythm and proper mixing bothered me at first. Then I realized that a “spoken word” track was probably the simplest approach to completing this challenge. That really made this song hard to place, considering it was the third song on the list.

#16 Charlie McCarron

I'm very iffy about these “run-on” sentences. The song is comical and not bad at all. However, I don't feel like any of what I think was attempted to be “run-on” weren't really that long at all. For example, the first verse is a run-on but it's so short that it's hardly admissible. Also, the sections that include the chorus don't seem run-on at all although I feel like it was attempted (like the “screw you” parts). Had this been different, this track would have ranked much higher.

#17 Atom & EVI don't think there's much run-on here. There's way too many independent clauses to say that there are any particular run-on sentences. Although it sounded like you were trying to say them mostly in one breath, it didn't really help. Still sounded like a bunch of different clauses.